Derby Hall of Famer of the Week: Charles A. Sterling

Our Derby Hall of Famer of the Week built one of the largest and most prestigious businesses in Derby history. 

Charles A. Sterling started out manufacturing organs in enormous wood structures located along the canal near what today is Water Street. He later added pianos as the business thrived for decades. He had an easy walk to work as he lived on Caroline Street. 

He passed away in 1877 but left a lasting legacy in Derby. The Sterling Opera House is named for him. https://electronicvalley.org/.../Hal.../Sterling,Charles.htm

Shared from the Derby 350 Facebook page.

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Sterling Opera House

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo features Harry Braun, a violinist from New York, preparing backstage at the Sterling Opera House. 

The Sterling Opera House was first opened April 2, 1889. Its last regularly scheduled performance was in 1945, after which the lower levels of the opera house served as City Hall and the Police Station, with intermittent performances scheduled in the theater space. 

Harry Braun's performance in 1965 was the last before the building was completely shut down the same year.

[First posted on this date in 2016.]

Thanks as always goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week. 

Reminder: Derby Public Library to host talk on history of opera house, book signing

DERBY - Derby Public Library will host a presentation on the history of the Sterling Opera house by Dr. Joseph DiRienzo, PhD. at 10 a.m. Saturday.

DiRienzo is the author of More 350 Years of Derby History along with the Derby Historical Society. He will sign books that will be available for purchase that day. 

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page. 

Open forum to focus on restoration of Sterling Opera House in Derby

 

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Purple Heart Association convention

Turnback Tuesday presents this ribbon from the 1st National Convention of the Purple Heart Association of the United States held in Derby Oct. 6-7, 1933 at the Sterling Opera House. 

The convention brought in many delegates from around the country. The Opera House was filled with many spectators, dignitaries and others. 

The Secretary of the Pennsylvania Purple Heart Association was quite the fiery speaker. During the convention, committees were formed as well as rules and the national officers were selected. 

The National Commander chosen was Frank Cushner from Ansonia. After the convention, a parade traveled through the towns of Derby, Ansonia, and Shelton. 

This ribbon is a recent donation to the Derby Public Library by Robert Ahearn.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

 

'Turnback Tuesday' features history of Sterling Opera House

Sterling Opera House on Elizabeth Street, Derby

Turnback Tuesday discovers the origin of the Sterling Opera House name.

The opera house, or “Borough Building” as it was referred to when being built from 1888-89, opened to the public on April 2, 1889 with a Grand Gala and a performance of “Drifting Apart.”

An article dated 1-25-1889 from the Evening Transcript said: “The courtroom is large and well-lighted as are all the offices; the fireman’s quarters cannot be excelled in the state. The opera portion is pronounced by experts to be most compact and the handsomest in New England. The cellar portion furnishes plenty of room for tramps and prisoners.”

Mr. Jean Jacques of Waterbury won the bid on leasing the Sterling Opera House at $2,000 per year for five years. Mr. Jacques stated in an article (above) on 3-26-1889 that he “considers it a happy hit to name the Sterling Opera House after one of the finest concerns in town and perhaps the most widely known throughout the country. Sterling instruments will be used.”

Charles Sterling was the founder of the Sterling Piano Co.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library for sharing interesting local history each week.

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: The Bassett House in Derby

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" shows one of Derby's showcase hotels, The Bassett House. 

It was located at the corner of Elizabeth and Fourth Streets next to the Sterling Opera House. It burned down in 1914 and was replaced by the Clark Hotel.

[This post was first published on this date in 2015].

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

From the 'Turnback Tuesday' archives: Sterling Opera House memories

 

This week's "Turnback Tuesday" photo features Harry Braun, a violinist from New York, preparing backstage at the Sterling Opera House. The Sterling Opera House was first opened April 2nd, 1889. Its last regularly scheduled performance was in 1945, after which the lower levels of the opera house served as City Hall and the Police Station, with intermittent performances scheduled in the theater space. Harry Braun's performance in 1965 was the last before the building was completely shut down the same year.
[First published on this date in 2016.]
Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

'Turnback Tuesday' features stately Sterling Opera House in Derby

Turnback Tuesday looks at the first building in Connecticut to be listed on the National Registry of Historic Places: the Sterling Opera House in Derby, a magnificent building with a big story to tell.

Opening in 1889, in its day the Sterling hosted many talented performers, entertainers and a national hero.

It was used for meetings, graduation ceremonies, and plays. Sadly this iconic building stopped its performances in 1933. Scheduled performances appeared with the last being Nov. 30 and Dec.1,1945 with the “Ye Old Time Minstrel” hosted by the Lafayette Men’s and Women’s Club to honor WWII soldiers returning home.

The Opera House was opened for a special performance by Harry Braun the violinist in 1966. The Save Our Sterling nonprofit organization had a fundraising event with Gary Harger singing Ave Maria on Sept. 24, 1997.

When the cupolas were being installed on Feb. 11, 2011, Fran Scarpa did an impromptu song on stage to demonstrate the incredible acoustics.

Most recently, Harry Connick Jr. recorded his rendition of “Amazing Grace” on Feb.1, 2021.

This image is a thank you letter sent to Mayor Richard Dziekan, a recent donation to the Library historical collection.

Thank you to Joe DiRienzo and Jack Walsh for their assistance with this Turnback.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

'Turnback Tuesday' features history of Christmas tree ornaments

Turnback Tuesday looks back at the history of Christmas Ornaments.

The idea of decorating a tree originated in Germany using fruit and nuts to symbolize the promise of spring.

In the 1800s, German Hans Greiner made glass ball ornaments called "baubles" which became very popular. When German immigrants came to America the tradition was brought with them.

By the 1890s, Woolworth’s Department store in the U.S. sold more than $25 million in German imported glass ornaments. Through the decades the “in style” ornaments have changed with the times.

The tradition of decorating a tree is a personal family story. Trees are decorated with memories old and new as well as cherished events.

These three ornaments pictured above are a part of the Derby Public Library collection.

By all means, share a picture of one of your favorite family ornaments.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting history each week!

Derby Neck Library to host lecture on 'Voices of the Woman's Club'

DERBY - Local historian and Derby Neck Library reference librarian Patricia Sweeney will present a PowerPoint about the musicians, authors, explorers, actresses, journalists, and other celebrities Frances Osborne Kellogg brought to speak at the Woman’s Club of Ansonia, Derby and Shelton.

The Library is at 307 Hawthorne Ave.

This is shared from the Library's Facebook page.

An intriguing 'Turnback Tuesday' post from 7 years ago

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The building with a crowd gathering around it is Hubbell’s Shoe Store, located in the A.H. & C.B. Alling Building on Main and Elizabeth Streets in Derby.

The crowd of about 600 people assembled to see a woman be hypnotized in the store window. Interestingly enough, the same hypnotist also performed up the street at the Sterling Opera House.

The photo is derived from an old glass negative taken by photographer Myles P. Fillingham of Ansonia, circa early 1900s.

*This post came up in my Facebook memories today. I remember the photo well.

'Turnback Tuesday' features talk by Amelia Earhart at Sterling Opera House in Derby

 

Turnback Tuesday remembers a visitor to Derby. The Woman’s Club of Derby invited the “First Lady of the Air” to speak at its March 16, 1936 meeting.

With the huge demand of members and residents to see Amelia Earhart, the meeting was moved to the Sterling Opera House to accommodate such a large attendance.

Amelia’s subject was “Aviation Adventures.” She spoke of her travels, what was needed to prepare plus dispelled rumors as to why she attempted such feats. Amelia entertained the audience with the details of her Pacific flight. She flew because she wished to do so.

With the interest of Miss Earhart, there was a great demand for a copy of her books from the local libraries.

Thanks goes to Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week.

'Turnback Tuesday' features program for 1890 Memorial Day exercises

DERBY - Turnback Tuesday remembers the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Kellogg Post #26 of Derby.

The Derby Post was formed on April 11, 1867 and named after Colonel Elisha Strong Kellogg who died in the Civil War.

This program advertised the Memorial Day Exercises for May 30, 1890 at the Sterling Opera House. It was the GAR that created a general order for all posts to set aside May 30 as a day of remembrance of fallen comrades, known today as Memorial Day.

This program is a recent donation from Norman Hayden.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!

Harry Connick, Jr. records "Amazing Grace" at Sterling Opera House in Derby

DERBY - Harry Connick, Jr. recorded a beautiful version of Amazing Grace Feb. 1 at the Sterling Opera House on Elizabeth Street during a snowstorm, Town/City Clerk Marc Garofalo announced today.

It has been released and can be viewed on the following link - https://www.harryconnickjr.com/

"Thank you Mr. Connick!  We hope you’re staying warm now!" Garofalo said in a release.

 

'Turnback Tuesday' features Bassett House, Sterling Opera House in Derby

Turnback Tuesday peeks at two very prominent buildings in Derby.

Pictured here is the Bassett House at the turn of the century.

The Bassett House was converted to a hotel in 1868. The gentleman in front holding his hat is Ira Ford Hoyt who stayed at the Bassett House from 1897 until a fire destroyed it in 1911.

According to the Derby Directories, Ira Ford and his father Ira Mortimer Hoyt conducted business in Derby by leasing the Sterling Opera House from 1897 to 1913, Ira M. being the Lessee and Ira F. being the manager. Both men were from South Norwalk.

The Hoyts were a prominent family with Ira M. having built the Hoyt Theatre which opened in 1892.

Thank you to Norwalk Public Library's Local History Room for their assistance.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!

Griffin posts information to mark start of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Sharing from Griffin Hospital's Facebook page:

"In recognition of the start of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Griffin Health is raising awareness about the importance of early detection.

"Please share these breast cancer screening facts on your Facebook page today as we work together to save lives!"

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This is a photo from today of yours truly and fashion designer Agathe Likoba, owner of Likoba, a high-end Parisian boutique, celebrating the start of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I'm an almost 10-year breast cancer survivor and so grateful for Agathe's support over the past two years since I met her when she opened her store at 25 Elizabeth St., Derby.

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Military Order of the Purple Heart

Turnback Tuesday looks at the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

The Order was formed in 1932 for all those who received the Purple Heart decoration. On Sept. 21, 1932, the recipients from Derby, Ansonia, Seymour, and Shelton were awarded their decorations in a ceremony at Community Field in Ansonia. 

The Order’s 1st National Convention was held at the Sterling Opera House in Derby on Oct. 6-7, 1933. The program shown is from the Sixth Annual Connecticut State Convention held at Hotel Clark on July 23, 1944.


Thanks as always to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!

'Turnback Tuesday' highlights Hotel Clark in downtown Derby

Turnback Tuesday remembers the Hotel Clark that was located near the Sterling Opera House at 100 Elizabeth Street in Derby. 
The Hotel was built on the same site as the former Bassett House which burned down in 1911. 
Hotel Clark opened in 1914 and was named in honor of Charles E. Clark, a prominent citizen in Derby. It was a spacious, three-story brick building which became the leading hotel in the area. Hotel Clark was closed in 1951.


Thanks go to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!

Recuperation journey: Sunny Sunday scenes in Derby

... at Osbornedale State Park

and on the Green in a deserted downtown.

Stay safe all!